Reel assembly



7, 1963 s. L. ElFRlD 3,101,846

. REEL ASSEMBLY Filed June 2, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z6 50 3.4 6 mum-m 57Imam)! WXMM 1963 s. EIFRID 3,101,846

REELASSEMBLY Filed June 2, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 MXMM United StatesParent Filed June 2, 1961, Ser- No. 114,491 i 10 Claims. (Cl. 20659)This invention relates to reels formed of corrugated cardboard orsimilar material and comprising generally flat parallel heads securedagainst opposite ends of'a tubular core member and projecting radiallyand outwardly beyond the core to form flanges, the heads alsohavingalined center holes to receive a shaft for rotatably supporting thereel.

One object of the present invention is to secure the heads of a reelofthe above character against the core in a novel manner reinforcing theportions of the heads around the peripheries of the centerholes andstrengthening the core against inward collapse.

Another object is to provide a cover for the reel and connect the sameto the heads in a novel mannerto strengthen the flanges and alsoreinforce the core against inward collapse.

Still another object is to provide novel connectors for locking theheads in assembled relation against the core i without the necessity ofadhesive or fastening apparatus such as staples.

A more detailed object is to project fastening devices through slotslocated in the heads in a novel manner to engage and reinforce the innerperiphery of the core.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of areel assembly embodying the novelfeatures of the present invention and including a cover.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the reel and cover.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one reel head.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one of the connector strips.

FIG. 6 is a layout view of the cover. 3

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective View of a modified reel assemblywithout the cover.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of one head and connector stripof the-modified reel; I

FIGS. 9 and 10 are fragmentary sectional vieWs through one head showingprogressive steps inassembly of aconnecting strip to the head.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary end view of the modified reel showing theconnector strip in finally assembled position.

FiG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken entire line 12-12 of FIG.11. i I

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary section 1 view taken along the line 13-13 ofFIG. 12.. i r t FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another modification.FIG. 15 is an end. view of the second'modification. FIG. 16 is a layoutview of one headofthesecond modification.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1 717 of FIG.l5, and i i i i FIG. 18 isa fragmentary enlarged end view of the secondmodification.

The invention is shown in drawings for purpose of illustration embodiedin a reel- 20 comprising generally twoflat heads 21 of stiff materialsuch as corrugated cardboard abutting and secured against opposite endsof a tubular core 22. The core is smaller than the heads" which projectradially and'outwardly beyondit'to form flanges. While the coremay be ofpolygonal cross section, it is a-cylinder in the present instance.The'heads ripheral support for the core, its ends are received inrecesses 23 formed in the inner sides'of the heads and of a shape.complementary to the outer periphery ,of the 3,101,846 Patented Aug..27, 1.263

core. Herein, each head is formed of two layers of cardboard, the innerwhich are glued together and one of which is cut out of its center toprovide a circular hole for the recess 23. A smaller center hole 24coaxial in the recess is cut in the other or outer layer to receive 'ashaft (not shown) to support the reel for turning about this alined axesof the heads and core.

In one of itsaspects, the present invention contemplates securing theheads 21 against opposite ends of'the core 22 in a novel manner toreinforce the heads around the periphery of the center hole 24 and alsostrengthen the heads against lateral collapse. This is accomplished bythe provision of elongated connector strips 25 'each having a flatcenter portion 26 lying against the outer side of one head and an endportion 27 secured to the other head after being projected throughthecore and alined slots 28 and 29 in the two heads;

One pair of angularly spaced parallel slots 28 cut in one head 21 onopposite sides of the center hole 24 receive the end portions 27 of onestrip 25 at the ends of the central portion 26 of the strip. A secondpair of slots 2? angularly spaced from the first pair receive the endportions 27 of the other strip extending through the .core 22 from theother head. A hole 30 of the same size as the center holes 24- of theheads is cut in the center portion of each'strip to register with theclosest hole of 'the head lying against the center portion of the strip.

To avoid the use of adhesive or fastening devices such as staples, theinvention also contemplates a novel construction of the heads 21 andconnector strips 25 for locking the end portions 27 to the heads. Forthis purpose, a third pair of parallel slots 31 are cut in each head inparallel with and radially spaced from the second pair 29. These slotsare correlated in size and shape with the end portions of the strip toreceive those portions and lock them to the heads after they areinserted in the slots. The third slots thus are tapered to progressivelydecreasing widths of their ends and are ofa length equal approximatelyto the maximum width of the end por tions. The latter are recessed alongtheir edgesin- V the first pair. Intermediate portions 34- adjacent theend ofthe center portion are the parts which extend through the core 22and their outer ends terminate in score lines 35 parallel to-the lines33-at their inner ends'an'd spaced apart a distance equal approximatelyto the spacing of the heads. The endportions 2-7 are joined to theintermediate portions at the latter score lines 35 and themselves aredivided into two parts by score lines 36.

The inner sections of the end portions'27 ofthe strips between the twoscore lines 35 and 36 lie along the outer sides of the heads 21 and theouter sections project through the third or tapered slots 31. The outersection includes the shoulders 32 and the outer score lines 36 arespaced inwardly from the shoulders a short distance equal approximatelyto the thickness of the outer layerof' the head, the outer sectionconstituting a locking tab.

To facilitate enn' er the" outefends of the strip into the tapered slots31, they preferably are taperedto a point'i as indi'oatedat 3'7. 'Theend'po-rtions thenhave theap-f pearance of arrowheads. When thearrowheads have been projected through the tapered slots 31*unt'il the"shoulders pass totlie'inner-side ofthe heads as shown in FIG. 12, theedges of each slot at their ends close behind the shoulders as shown inPKG. 13 to lock the tab securely on the inner side of the head.

The slotted heads 21 are advantageous in facilitating attachment of acover 38 to the reel without adhesive or fastening devices. The covercomprises a plurality of flat panels 38a adapted to span the flanges ofthe heads and arranged end to end to extend around the circumferences ofthe heads. The panels correspond in number and length to the flatperipheral edges of the heads so that one panel lies along and iscoextensive with each pair of parallel edges. To provide lateralreinforcement for the flanges, lateral extensions or strips 39 and 40extend integrally from opposite sides of the panels and lie against theouter sides of the flanges.

Alternating connector or fastener strips 4i project beyond theintervening reinforcing strips 39 to provide tabs 41 which extend intothe outermost slots 28 and 29 on the heads 21 to fasten the cover to theheads. Herein, the reinforcing strips are wider than the fasteningstrips to underlie the latter when the cover is assembled around thereel. This is permitted by 'beveling the ends of the reinforcing stripsand offsetting the inner edges 42 of the reinforcing strips inwardlyfrom the inner edges 43 on the fastener strips, each of the lattertapering from its inner edges to a narrower width throughout most of itslength. The tabs 4-1 on the fastener strips are connected thereto alongscore lines 4-4.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the portionsof connector or fastener strips extending into the outermost slots 28and 29 are utilized to reinforce the core 22 against collapse radiallyand inwardly due to the pressure of material wrapped around the core.This is accomplished by correlating the locations of these slots and theinner periphery of the core so that the portions of strips projectinginto the slots engage or tie closely adjacent the core periphery. Theoutermost edge portions 45 of the slots thus are closely adjacent orregister with the inner periphery of the core when the parts areassembled.

With core 22 of cylindrical shape like that shown in the presentinstance, the desired registry of the outer edge portions 45 of theslots 28 and 29 is obtained by bevels at the ends of these edges so thatthe end portions of the slots are tapered as shown in FIG. 4. Where, asin the preferred construction of FIGS. 1 through 6, the tabs 41 on thecover connector strips extend into the outermost slots 28 and 29, theslots are wide enough to receive both those tabs and the intermediateportions 26 of the connector strips 25, the cover tabs then being theparts which engage and reinforce the inner periphery of the core alongthe outer edges 45 of these slots. It will be apparent that the slots 28and 29 are spaced from the defining edge of the recess 23 in each headby a distance equal approximately to the thickness of the core.

Assuming the parts of the reel and cover have been formed as describedabove and are separated from each other, they are assembled first byprojecting the end portions 27 and intermediate portions 34 of eachconnector strip 25 inwardly through the first pair of slots 23 on therespective heads 21 to bring the center portion 26 of the connectorstrips against the outer sides of the heads and also, to bring the holesof these strips into registry with the center holes 24 of the head.Then, the heads are moved into parallel relation against opposite endsof the core by telescoping the end and intermediate portions of theconnector strips through the core when the heads are offset angul arly90 degrees from each other so that these portions of the strips of thedifferent heads are disposed in perpendicular planes.

In the movement of the heads 21 toward each other, the end portions 27of the connector strips 25 advance through the slots 29 of the secondpair on each head as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This movement is completedwhen the heads abut the ends of the core 22 with such ends located inthe recesses 23. The inner score line of each end portion 27 of eachconnector strip then should lie in the plane of the outermost side ofthe adjacent head so that the outer section of the end portion may bebent reversely along the outer score line 36 and inserted into the innertapered slot 3 1 as shown in FIG. 10. This insertion continues until theshoulders move to the inner side of the head as shown in FIGS. 12 and13. During such insertion, the side edge portions of the outer sectionof the strip are compressed slightly between the tapered end edges ofthe slot, the compressed portions expanding after the shoulders movebeyond the slot edges far enough to abut the inner side of the head asshown in FIG. 13.

When all of the end portions 27 of the strips 25 have been bentreversely and inserted far enough into the tapered slots 31 that theshoulders 32 lock against the inner sides of the heads 21, the assemblyof the reel is complete and the heads are held securely against theopposite ends of the core. The central portions 26 of the connectorstrips 25 lie against the outer sides of the heads and the parts of suchportions defining the edges of the holes 30 reinforce the central partsof the heads around their center holes 24.

To assemble the cover 33 to the reel, the cover is extended around theperiphery of the reel heads 21 with the panels 38a lying against theirrespective pairs of parallel edges of the reel heads. Then, thereinforcing strips 39 are bent inwardly along their score lines 4-2 tolie against the outer sides of the heads. This is followed by firstbending the tabs 41 inwardly with respect to the remainder of thefastening strips 40 and then bending the latter inwardly. During thisfinal bending movement, the tabs 41 are inserted into the outer slots 28and 2? far enough to bring the remainder of the strips into overlappingrelation with the reinforcing strips and the outer sides of the heads.Such folding and tucking should begin with the connector strips at afirst end of the cover and progress along the cover to the other endwhere a longitudinally projecting flap is left to tuck beneath the panel38a :at the first end. The tabs 41 lie between the core and the parts ofthe separate connector strips 25 within the slots 28 and 29 and actuallyengage the inner periphery of the core to reinforce the same againstcollapse radially and inwardly.

In cases where it is not desired to use a cover as in the modificationshown in FIGS. 7 through 13, the outer slots 28 and 29 are made thinnerand equal approximately the thickness of the separate connector strips25 in those slots so as to be filled substantially by the strips. Theouter edges of such slot however are in substantial registry at theirends with the inner periphery of the core so that the strips 25 providethe same radial support of the core as when the slots receive both thetabs 41 from the cover connector strips 40 and the portions of theindividual connector strips 25.

In the constructions described thus far, the connector strips have beenformed as parts separate from the heads 21. In a simplified modificationshown in FIGS. 14 through 18, the connector strips are formed integralwith the heads, the parts of this modification which corresponds to theparts previously described having similar but primed referencecharacters. As in the preferred and modified constructions of FIGS. 1through 13, each modified connector strip 25 is formed with anintermediate portion 34' spanning the space between the heads 21' and anend portion 27' extending first through outer slots 29, then laterallyacross the outer side of the opposite head and inwardly through an innertapered slot 31. Instead of being connected to a central portion as theconnector strips of the preferred construction, each intermediateportion 34 is cut out of its associated head while remaining integrallyconnected along its outer edge to the head.

Although each connector strip 25' in this instance extends inwardly fromits outer edge of connection with the head 21 to the point spaced fromthe center hole 24 constructions however," thefouter slots 29" 'arelocated adjacent the inner periphery of the core 22. The outer connectededge of eachstrip 25fis-lo'cated in the same relation so that the'stripsrthemsel ves position the core 2 2 in a central-location withregard's'tothe heads as well as reinforce the core againstinward'collapse. -If desired, to provide a partial cover in the secondmodification, flaps -50'may' be connected along score lines 51 toalternate ones of the corners of each head 21; Alternate ones of these'fiaps', in addition, are formed with tabs 52 and the intervening ila'psare slotted as indicated at 53' along end score lines 51toreceivethe'tabs vof'the flapso ftheotherheads;-1 T

In the-assembly of the'parts "of the reel of the second modification,first the connector strips of each, head are bent laterally from oneside of the head and projected throughthe'core'arid info theouter'slots'29' of the other head by advancing the heads toward each other when theyare angulanly offset to aline the outer slot of each head with aconnector strip of the'otherhead' "Do enable the covertabs 52 to bealined'with the slots 53 at the same time, the "connector 'strips'andsldts are offset angularly so that opposed connectorstrips''are'alined along diagonals of the heads rather than along linesperpendicular to the flat sides; Oh'c'etheend portions-of the connec torstrips have been proje'oted throu g hi the outer slots 29" on the headsthese end portions are bent laterally and then reversely for insertioninto the inner tapered slots 31. As in the preferred construction, theend portions are inserted far enough that the shoulders engage the innersides of the heads to lock the strips to the heads. Finally the coverflaps 50 are bent inwardly and the cover tabs 52 are inserted in theslots 53.

Due to the location of the inner edge of each con- 7 nector strip andthe outer slot 29' adjacent to inner periphery of the core 22, of thesecond modification, the

intermediate portion 34' of the strip extends along the inner peripheryof the core 22' to reinforce the same against inward collapse and locatethe core in a central position with regard to both heads. Also, theheads are secured against the ends of the core without adhesive orfastening devices such as staples due to the tapered character of theinner slots 31' and the formation of the end portions 27 of theconnector strips with rearwardly facing shoulders. The strips beingformed as integral pants of the heads, the second modification not onlyis easy to assemble, but also may be constructed at low cost.

I claim as my invention:

1. A reei having, in combination, two generally flat heads spanned by ahollow tubular core member and each having first and second pairs ofparallel elongated slots angularly spaced around a central axis of theheads and extending circumferentially with respect to such axis, theslots of each pair being disposed on diametrically opposite sides of theaxis, a third pair of elongated slots extending parallel to and spacedinwardly fromthe slots of said first pair on each head, means on eachhead defining a hole centered on said axis and adapted to receive ashaft to support the reel for rotation about the axis, and two flatelongated fastening members each having a fiat central portion extendingbetween said second pair of slots on one of said heads and across saidaxis and lying against the outer side of the head and end portionsextending first through said core member and said first pair of slots inthe other head, then laterally along the outer side of the other head,and finally reversely and inwardly through said third pair of slots onthe other head to secure the heads and core in assembled "relation andto reinforce each head around said hole therein, means on said'centralportion of each fastening member defining a hole registering with thecenter hole of the'adjacent'head, and a cover having angularly spacedconnect-or strips extending radially and inwardly from the peripheriesof said heads at angularly and extending circumferentially with respectto such axis,

the slots of each pair being disposed on diametrically opposite sidesofthe axis, a third pair of elongated slots extending parallel to andspaced inwandly'from the slots of saidfir st pair of each head, means oneach head defining a hole centered on axis and adapted to receivea shafttosupport the reel for rotation about the axis, and two fiat elongatedfastening members each having a fiat central portion extending betweensaid second pair of slots on one ofsaid heads and'acros's said axis andlying against the outer side of the head and end portionsextending firstthrough'said'core member and said first pair of slots in the other head,then laterally along the outer side of the other'head, and finallyr'evers'ely'rand" inwardly through said thirdpair of slots on the otherhead to secure the heads and core 'iriassembled relation and toreinforce each head around said hole there-in, and means on said centralportion of each fastening member defining a hole registering with thecenter hole of the adjacent head.

3. A reel having in combination two generally fiat heads spanned by ahollow tubular core member and each having first and second pairs ofparallel elongated slots angularly spaced around a central axis of theheads and extending circumferentially with respect to such axis, theslots of each pair being disposed on diametrically opposite sides of theaxis, means on eachhead defining a hole centered on said axis andadapted to reecive a shaft to support the reel for rotation about theaxis, and two flat elongated fastening members each having a fiatcentral portion extending between said second pair of slots on one ofsaid heads and across said axis and lying against the outer side of thehead and end portions extending first through said core member and saidfirst pair of slots in the other head and then laterally along the outerside of the other head, means securing said end portions of each memberto said other head to secure the heads and core in assembled relation,said central portion of each of said members reinforcing the adjacenthead around said hole therein, and means on said central portion of eachfastening member defining a hole registering with the center hole of theadjacent head.

4. A reel having, in combination, two generally flat heads spanned by :ahollow tubular core member and each having a set of parallel elongatedslots angularly spaced around a common central axis of the heads andcore and extending circumferentially with respect to such axis,elongated fastening members each extending from one of said heads andthrough said core and one of said slots in the other head and secured tothe other head, and a cover extending circumferentially around andspanning the peripheries of said heads and having fastening stripsextending radially and inwardly from the peripheries of said headsagainst their outer sides at angularly spaced points and terminating intabs bent laterally and into said slots between edges of the slots andthe parts of the fastening members in the slots.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which the outer edges of said slots lieclosely adjacent the inner periphery of said core and said cover tabsengage such periphery to reinforce the same against inward collapse.

6. A reel having, in combination, two generally flat heads spanned by ahollow tubular core member and each having a first set of elongatedslots angularly spaced around a common central axis of the core and theheads and extending circumferentially with respect to such axis, asecond set of elongated slots extending parallel to and spaced inwardlyfrom the slots of said first set on each head, the end portions of saidsecond slots being tapered outwardly, and a plurality of flat elongatedfastening members each extending from one of said heads first throughsaid core member and one of said first set of slots in the other head,and finally reversely and inwardly through the adjacent parallel slot ofsaid second set on the other head to dispose the end portion of themember between the heads and secure the heads and core in assembledrelation, said end portion of each fastening member having shouldersfacing outwardly against the inner side of the adjacent head at thetapered ends of the associated second slot and engaging the inner sideof the head to lock the fastening member to the head.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which said fastening members are formedintegral with and bent from said heads.

8. A reel having in combination two generally flat heads and spanned bya hollow tubular core member and each having a first pair of parallelelongated slots extending circumferentially with respect to a centralaxis of the head and disposed on diametrically opposite sides of theaxis, the slots of one head being olfset angularly with respect to theslots of the other head around said axis, a second pair of elongatedslots extending parallel to and spaced radially from said slots of saidfirst pair on each head, a plurality of elongated connector members onefor each of said slots of said first pairs and each having anintermediate portion extending from one of said heads to the otherwithin said core and an end portion extending first outwardly beyond thecore and through one of said slots of said first pair in the other head,then radially along the outer side of the other head, and finallyinwardly through the adjacent one of said slots of said second pair inthe other head so that each of said end portions of said connectormembers is secured to said other head to hold the heads assembledagainst said core.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which said connector members are formedintegral with and are bent from said heads. 1

10. A reel having, in combination, two generally fiat heads spanned byand secured against a hollow tubular core member and each having a setof elongated slots angularly spaced and extending circumferentiallyaround a common center axis of the heads and core and lying within theinner peripheries of said core, a cover extending circumferentiallyaround and spanning the outer peripheries of said heads, and a pluralityof flat elongated connector strips connected to opposite edges of saidcover and extending radially and inwardly from said peripheries of saidheads along the outer sides of the heads and then laterally and inwardlyinto said slots to attach the cover to the heads.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,369,958 Fox Feb. 20, 1945 2,724,538 Schweich Nov. 22, 1955 2,812,854Fletcher Nov. 12, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 352,256 Great Britain July 9,1931 584,780 Canada Oct. 6, 1959

1. A REEL HAVING, IN COMBINATION, TWO GENERALLY FLAT HEADS SPANNED BY AHOLLOW TUBULAR CORE MEMBER AND EACH HAVING FIRST AND SECOND PAIRS OFPARALLEL ELONGATED SLOTS ANGULARLY SPACED AROUND A CENTRAL AXIS OF THEHEADS AND EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY WITH RESPECT TO SUCH AXIS, THESLOTS OF EACH PAIR BEING DISPOSED ON DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE SIDES OF THEAXIS, A THIRD PAIR OF ELONGATED SLOTS EXTENDING PARALLEL TO AND SPACEDINWARDLY FROM THE SLOTS EXTENDING PAIR ON EACH HEAD, MEANS ON EACH HEADDEFINING A HOLE CENTERED ON SAID AXIS AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A SHAFT TOSUPPORT THE REEL FOR ROTATION ABOUT THE AXIS, AND TWO FLAT ELONGATEDFASTENING MEMBERS EACH HAVING A FLAT CENTRAL PORTION EXTENDING BETWEENSAID SECOND PAIR OF SLOTS ON ONE OF SAID HEADS AND ACROSS SAID AXIS ANDLYING AGAINST THE OUTER SIDE OF THE HEAD AND END PORTIONS EXTENDINGFIRST THROUGH SAID CORE MEMBER AND SAID FIRST PAIR OF SLOTS IN THE OTHERHEAD, THEN LATERALLY ALONG THE OUTER SIDE OF THE OTHER HEAD, AND FINALLYREVERSELY AND INWARDLY THROUGH SAID THIRD PAIR OF SLOTS ON THE OTHERHEAD TO SECURE THE HEADS AND CORE IN ASSEMBLED RELATION AND TO REINFORCEEACH HEAD AROUND SAID HOLE THEREIN, MEANS ON SAID CENTRAL PORTION OFEACH FASTENING MEMBER DEFINING A HOLE REGISTERING WITH THE CENTER HOLEOF THE ADJACENT HEAD, AND A COVER HAVING ANGULARLY SPACED CONNECTORSTRIPS EXTENDING RADIALLY AND INWARDLY FROM THE PERIPHERIES OF SAIDHEADS AT ANGULARLY SPACED POINTS AND TERMINATING IN TABS BENT LATERALLYAND INWARDLY AND EXTENDING INTO SAID SLOTS OF SAID FIRST AND SECONDPAIRS BETWEEN THE OUTER EDGES OF THE SLOTS AND THE PARTS OF SAIDFASTENING MEMBERS IN THE SLOTS.